presence here that's causing him to quit California--as also many others
of our old families. Still, as we reside in the country, at a safe
distance from town, we might enjoy immunity from meeting _los barbaros_,
as our people are pleased contemptuously to style them. For my part, I
love dear old California, and will greatly regret leaving it. Only to
think; I shall never more behold the gallant _vaquero_, mounted on his
magnificent steed, careering across the plain, and launching his lazo
over the horns of a fierce wild bull, ready to gore him if he but miss
his aim. Ah! it's one of the finest sights in the world--so exciting in
this dull prosaic age. It recalls the heroic days and deeds of the
Great Conde, the Campeador, and Cid. Yes, Inez; only in this modern
transatlantic land--out here, on the shores of the South Sea--do there
still exist customs and manners to remind one of the old knight-errantry
and times of the troubadours."

"What an enthusiast you are! But apropos of your knights-errant, yonder
are two of them, if I mistake not, making this way. Now, fancy yourself
on the donjon of an ancient Moorish castle, salute, and receive them
accordingly. Ha, ha, ha!"

The clear ringing laugh of the Andalusian is not echoed by the Biscayan.
Instead, a shadow falls over her face, as her eyes become fixed upon
two mounted figures just distinguishable in the distance.

"True types of your Californian _chivalry_!" adds Inez ironically.

"True types of Californian _villainy_!" rejoins Carmen, in serious
earnest.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

A COUPLE OF CALIFORNIAN "CABALLEROS."

The horsemen, so oddly commented upon, have just emerged from the
suburbs of San Francisco, taking the road which leads southward along
shore.

Both are garbed in grand style, in the national costume of that country,
which, in point of picturesqueness is not exceeded by any other in the
world.

They wear the wide trousers (_calzoneras_), along the outer seams lashed
with gold lace, and beset with filigree buttons; the snow-white drawers
(_calzoncillas_) here and there puffing out; below, _botas_ and spurs--
the last with rowels several inches in diameter, that glitter like great
stars behind their heels. They have tight-fitting jackets of velveteen,
closed in front, and over the bosom elaborately embroidered; scarfs of
China crape round their waists, the ends dangling adown the left hip,
terminating in a fringe of gold cord; on their h